Children’s Book Events

My debut picture book ‘The Horse, the Stars and the Road’, which I wrote and illustrated, was published by Little Island in 2022.

Since publication, as well as visiting schools and libraries, I have taken part in children’s literature festivals and programmes including:

·        Dublin Book Festival: Children’s Programme

·        ILFD (International Literature Festival Dublin): Schools Programme

·        Spring Into Storytime (with Roscommon County Libraries)

·        Doodle Den (with pupils from Stanhope Street and George’s Hill Primary Schools, Dublin)

·        Children’s Book Festival (with Cork & Clare County Libraries)

·        Cruinniú na nÓg (with Roscommon County Libraries)

During book events- I read the story, chat to children about writing and illustration and we usually do an art activity too. The examples below are of the illustrated activity sheets and templates I use for my events. There are some beautiful examples of the unique interpretations from children I have worked with.  

‘Design Your Own Wagon Interior’ Activity Sheet

I use this drawing activity a lot when visiting schools and libraries-or for festival events. It is based on an illustration from my picture book. I show children images of traditional barrel top and Romani vardo wagons. They then come up with a character to draw inside. They imagine that their character is going on a special trip, and they draw everything that they will need to live or travel in the wagon.

‘Star Chart’ Activity

I designed the Star Chart activity to accompany my book, ‘The Horse, the Stars and the Road’, because Uncle Jim’s character can navigate by the stars. It provides an introduction to star navigation and has a different plant for each month for children to colour. I use it for school visits with 3rd-6th class (age 8-13). It is best printed onto A3 card- so that they have a working star chart to take home.